How to pronounce severe
Say it like suh-VEER. Severe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce severe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- VEER
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Severe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VEERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of severe
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: suh-VEER.
What does severe mean?
- intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality“severe pain”“a severe case of flu”
- very strong or vigorous“strong winds”“a hard left to the chin”
- severely simple“a stark interior”
Where does severe come from?
From Middle French, from Latin severus (“severe, serious, grave in demeanor”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with severe
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of severe.
Questions about saying severe
How do you pronounce severe?
Say suh-VEER. The American pronunciation is /səˈvɪr/. In British English it is /səˈvɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in severe?
Severe has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (VEER). Broken into parts: suh · VEER.
Is severe pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /səˈvɪə/ (suh-VEER).